Islamabad, 25 March 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Pakistan's Interior Ministry today said more than 50 "terrorists" have been killed in Pakistan's ongoing military operation against suspected Al-Qaeda fighters in a remote tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayyat made his remarks in Islamabad. He did not identify those killed, nor did he say whether they were foreigners or local tribesmen. He said the operation in South Waziristan will continue until the foreign fighters in the area are "completely eliminated."

Meanwhile, the Pakistani army's deadline has passed for local tribesmen to hand over hundreds of militants.

The military has threatened the tribesmen with "serious consequences" if they fail to hand over the militants as well as release several hostages. So far, tribesmen have showed no signs of surrendering the militants.